Copyright © 1997-2000 Brian Johnsen

Indoor Fighter Kite Time Trials

Brian Johnsen May 12th, 1997

Played in a roughly rectangular area divided in half across the width. The flyer must stay in the half of the court not occupied by the targets. There is no limitation on what the targets or tasks may be other than that each flyer must have an equal chance at them. (e.g. if you want them to break a balloon or knock down a pinata, you must be prepared to have one of the same size and shape and area for everyone.)

Each flyer gets a specified amount of time to accomplish some portion of the tasks before their time runs out. Each task (or target) will have a set number of the total points available assigned to it. All targets or tasks must be prepared and ready before the clock is started. Each task or target may only be completed once. No points will be awarded for hitting a target the second time.

Each flyer will call "READY" when queried by the referee and is ready to begin. The referee will call "IN" to start the clock. Each flyer will call "OUT" after completion of all the tasks to stop the clock. The flyer may not call "OUT" before they complete all the tasks assigned. The number of seconds remaining of the set time will be noted by the timekeeper. The order in which the tasks are completed are up to the flyer.

Stepping outside the flying area will result in a loss of points equal to half of the total available points. This may result in a negative score. Boundary faulting twice will disqualify the flyer. In the case of a tie on completed points, the number of seconds remaining after completion of all tasks of the tied flyers will be added to the point score to determine placing of the tied flyers only.

In the case of grounding, any number of relaunches are allowed, either long line, with assistance or self launched. HOWEVER: the flyer must retrieve the kite into the flyers side of the court where it can be relaunched. All relaunces must occur inside the boundaries of the flyers side of the court.

If the kite or line get entangled in targets and is impossible to retrieve, the flyer must call "TIME". The timekeeper must stop the clock until the kite and line are cleared, then resume the timing at the point it was stopped. The person freeing the kite inside the target area may NOT relaunch the kite. It must be retrieved back into the flying area after the clock has been restarted.

There may be multiple instances of any single task. In the case of three balloons and two cups, there must be three balloons and two cups set up. Hitting or knocking the same target more than once will not increase the points.

An experienced flyer (or flyers) may be assigned to run the course to establish a baseline for the time all the competitors will be allowed to complete all the tasks. This person or persons ideally would not compete as they would have an advantage over others coming on it cold. Though they may be allowd to compete with agreement of the other flyers or a time handicap determined at the pilot's meeting prior to the competition. This is an optional requirement.

Example Tasks and Targets:

  1. Knock a cup off a pole.
    The closer to the ground and farther away, the more points should be awarded.

  2. Touch a suspended balloon or other target, cut a crepe paper streamer.
    High targets close to the boundary are easier to hit than high targets at the far side of the target area. Standards supporting targets or strings anchoring helium balloons and their placement should be thought out before hand. They may be considered as a part of a task situated deeper in the target area. Targets that may be diminished in area during the course of the timed session must be restored to the same dimensions for the next flyer.

  3. Land the kite in a bullseye.
    Three concentric circles are laid out on the floor. Graduated scores are awarded subject to the area that the kite first comes into contact with.